Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)
Not Rated | 118 min | Comedy, Crime | 23 September 1944 (USA)A drama critic learns on his wedding day that his beloved maiden aunts are homicidal maniacs, and that insanity runs in his family.
Director: Frank Capra
Writers: Julius J. Epstein (screen play), Philip G. Epstein(screen play),
Stars: Cary Grant, Priscilla Lane, Raymond Massey
As important as It's a Wonderful Life has become to the Christmas season, I believe that Frank Capra's most important holiday contribution Is the Halloween Classic, Arsenic and Old Lace.
If you've only seen it on TV, you haven't really seen it. The story involves murder and insanity. It also involves marriage and a guy who thinks he's Teddy Roosevelt. It's funny and weird, and creepy. I will admit that it is steeped in the Americana of it's time, and some of the attitudes are old fashioned. None of that is enough to change the film's status as classic
This film is full of some of the classic things that make Capra films what they are. There is humor and schmaltz and people following their personal passions, all these things lead to trouble of a dark and wacky nature.
For me it's a Halloween classic.
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